Podiatrist Career

Podiatrist Job Description

A podiatrist’s job description includes diagnosis and treatment of various ailments and deformities of the foot. He is trained to manage different foot diseases, like, fractures, osteomyelitis, foot imbalances, flat foot, foot ulcers, skin and nail ailments, tumors and carcinomas, corns, calluses, bunions, in-growing nails, cysts, shortened tendons, abscesses, and diverse congenital / acquired lower extremity deformities.

He will use electrical and mechanical methods and techniques, such as: whirlpool / paraffin baths and short-wave and low-voltage currents for the therapy. He also makes use of specific surgical procedures, like suturing, along with the suitable drugs and local anesthesia. He also performs procedures that range from small clinic procedures to major operations requiring general anesthesia.

A podiatrist’s job description also includes correction of foot deformities using plaster casts and strapping, designing and attaching prosthesis and prescribing remedial foot wear.

Podiatrist Education, Certification and Training

• Your undergraduate coursework must include: English, chemistry, physics and biology. English is compulsory to gain admission in to a Podiatry School. Nearly all podiatry institutes require you to finish the undergraduate degree before seeking admission.

• The podiatry training and education is a 4 year program, after which you need to complete 2 - 3 years of Podiatry Residency training. The residency training provides medical and surgical education and experience in lower extremity operations, communicable diseases, anesthesiology and emergency medicine.

• Next, you ought to finish 3 divisions of a Board Certification Exam in Podiatry, so that you become a certified podiatrist and can practice. The examination is carried out by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. You appear for the first part of the exam after you complete your second year of podiatry. The second division of the assessment occurs after graduation from the podiatry school. And lastly, you need to clear the third part while you pursue your residency. Accordingly, you get licensed in Podiatric Medicine.

Podiatrist Jobs

Podiatrists’ job opportunities look good. A majority of podiatrists have single or group practices, whilst, some physicians work at hospitals; some physicians function in the armed forces or insurance organizations or teach at podiatry schools.

Podiatrists engaged by the Veterans Administration or those who work at a hospital, might have to work for extended hours as compared to podiatrists who have their own private practice.

Podiatrist Salary

The podiatrist’s salary is approximately in the range of $43,000 to $145,000 per year. Also, the podiatrist’s salary primarily depends on his education and training, experience, proficiency, location and employer.